12:08 East of Bucharest [trailer, film focus], the first feature film written, produced and directed by Corneliu Porumboiu was awarded the Europa Cinemas Label earlier this afternoon at the closing ceremony of Cannes sidebar section Directors' Fortnight.

The film, a tale questioning if the 1989 revolution actually took place in a small Romanian town (see review) is, according the jury, "a fresh, engaging comedy whose universal themes really engage with the audience. It deals with important issues very effectively in a humorous way".
Porumboiu's title, which seems to be following in the successful steps of last year's Romanian film The Death of Mr. Lazarescu by Cristi Puiu, will now receive the invaluable support of extended theatrical exposure and additional promotion from the Europa Cinemas network. Paris-based The Coproduction Office is handing international sales.